Ivory Coast makes important military decision with French forces

In his year-end address to the nation, President Ouattara stressed that the people of Ivory Coast should be proud of the modernization of the country's armed forces.

"In this context, we have decided on the withdrawal of French forces in an organized and coordinated manner," Mr. Ouattara stressed.

There is no information yet on France's reaction to Mr. Ouattara's statement.

Mr. Ouattara made the statement after sources told Reuters in November 2024 that France was considering reducing its military presence in West and Central African countries, including Ivory Coast, from about 2,200 troops to 600.

Earlier, Chad's Foreign Ministry announced on November 28, 2024 that it had terminated its defense cooperation agreement with France, a move that could see French troops leave the Central African country. There was no indication that Paris had been informed of Chad's decision in advance, according to Reuters.

Chad's Foreign Ministry affirmed that the decision to end the defense partnership with France does not weaken the friendly relations between the two countries.

Chad's decision, however, is another blow to France's historic colonial role in West and Central Africa after France withdrew its troops from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso following military coups, according to Reuters. France ended colonial rule in West Africa in the 1960s.